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The primary source of news and information about California State University, Dominguez Hills, its students, faculty, and staff.

Science

Signal Tribune: As the City Prepares for Organic Waste Collection, North Long Beach Residents Show Initiative in Trial

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Green trash dumpsters.

Source: Signal Tribune

A handful of residents in a North Long Beach neighborhood tried their hand at organic waste collection this summer, giving a glimpse into the assurances and obstacles of an upcoming state-mandated program. 

The week-long project was led by Cal State University Dominguez Hills student Amber Alvarado, who is studying to be an ecologist and environmental scientist. 

Alvarado visited nearly 20 homes in July and handed residents fliers on what food and yard items to collect and the benefits of collecting organic waste. 

Senate Bill 1383 took effect in January 2022, requiring cities to implement a mandatory organic waste collection program. California set a goal to reduce organic waste disposal in landfills by 75% by 2025 and to reduce food waste by 20% in the same timeframe. 

Organic waste includes food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard, which currently makes up about half of California landfills, according to the bill. 

Since the bill went into effect, CalRecycle reported that 70% of California communities have implemented residential organic waste collections. 

Long Beach, like many other cities, has hit roadblocks in rolling out its residential organic waste program. The City’s Waste Diversion and Recycling Officer Erin Rowland told the Signal Tribune that one of the main roadblocks is a supply shortage of the trucks that will pick up organic waste.

Another obstacle is “a lack of infrastructure in the area to support the processing of organic materials,” according to the City’s website.  

The goal of Alvarado’s project was to explore resident’s willingness to learn about and participate in the organic waste collection program once it’s rolled out to residential areas. The City said there is no concrete timeline for the residential program as of now. 

Alvarado said 19 households agreed to participate in the project, but only six of these homes fully completed the program. Still, she said she was “pleasantly surprised” with her results. 

Community Survey Results

After giving the neighborhood a week to test their organic waste collection skills, Alvarado checked back in with residents to collect their bags of food and yard debris. She asked them questions created with the help of Long Beach City recycling specialists to gauge their experiences.

The 13 residents who had planned on participating but didn’t collect organic waste cited issues of time fulfillments such as scheduled vacations or they simply forgot to separate their waste. 

“This is what happens, it’s real-world situations and it’s still good that this happened,” Alvarado said.

Despite the mishaps, Alvarado was still able to collect 27 pounds of food scraps and yard debris. After removing non-compostable items such as plastic bags and bones with meat on them, she donated the remaining 25 pounds of organic waste to The Growing Experience urban farm in Long Beach.

Questionnaire results included: 

  • Most residents did not struggle separating their food waste into a separate container
  • Most residents did struggle to get other members of their family to separate their organic waste
  • Most residents said their collected food waste did not cause unwanted odor
  • Half of the participants said before the program they did not know how to separate organic waste
  • Most residents said that after the program, they feel confident separating and collecting organic waste

Alvarado said that the most surprising result was that only 10% of collected organic waste had to be removed. 

“I think it made me feel more hopeful that people are going to be able to do this … It’ll take some time to implement but I think it will be possible,” Alvarado said, adding that she suspects the educational fliers she handed out made a big difference in inspiring confidence. 

What Long Beach is doing now

Though Long Beach is not ready to implement the organic waste collection program in residential areas, it started a similar pilot program with 168 commercial businesses in 2021. 

Waste Diversion and Recycling Specialist Britney Coker-Moen told the Signal Tribune that as of the beginning of August, 168 tons of organic waste had been collected. In July, the City collected 25.1 tons of organic waste. 

Coker-Moen said the City is hoping to expand its pilot program to more businesses by the end of this year. 

Residents can enroll in free composting shops through Long Beach’s Environmental Services Bureau, where they can learn how to transform organic waste into nutrient soil. The next workshop will be on Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Michelle Obama Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) and will be taught in Spanish. 

Long Beach will teach composting skills through a virtual workshop on Sept. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Residents can purchase a composting bin at a discounted rate through the City, but will currently be placed on a waiting list.

Biology Student Named Aquarium of the Pacific African American Scholar

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Kimberly Randolph portrait with a blue background

Fourth-year biology student Kimberly Randolph is the first CSUDH student to be named an African American Scholar of the Aquarium of the Pacific, an honor which includes a $10,000 scholarship and educational opportunities with the Aquarium.

Randolph, originally from Modesto, Calif., is among ten exceptional California university students chosen for the 2023 award. Though she didn’t grow up on the coast, as a child Randolph became interested in marine biology thanks to the BBC Planet Earth series and the gift of a pet hermit crab.

“I started doing my own research on how to recreate hermit crabs’ natural environments, and how it helps them thrive” she says. “It made me think that people need to be more aware of how we take care of our planet and sustain certain environments.”

Randolph came to CSUDH as a biology major with a pre-med focus, but after taking a few ecology courses, eventually changed her specialty to ecology and environmental science.

“Our planet is so big, and there’s so much to learn and study, that I felt I could make more of a difference in ecology than in the medical field,” she says.

Now, thanks to the prestigious Aquarium award, she has the chance to do exactly that. Randolph plans to get scuba certified this summer, and is looking forward to working alongside Aquarium conservationists and researchers. She hopes that the award will help to jump-start her career in marine biology, and is considering pursuing conservation or studying ocean microbiomes in the future.

Ultimately, Randolph strives to be an inspiration to Black girls interested in STEM, as they are too often underrepresented and unseen in scientific careers.

“Elementary school students should see people who look like them working in science,” she says. “I would have liked to have seen more of that when I was growing up. I want to be someone that other Black students can look up to.”

New Book Explores the Resilience of the Ancient Maya

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Ken Seligson with The Maya and Climate Change book in foreground

Throughout human history, civilizations have had to adapt to ever-shifting environments in order to survive–whether sudden, catastrophic climate events, or gradual changes that span centuries. These human-environmental relationships are at the center of The Maya and Climate Change (Oxford University Press, Nov. 2022), a new book by CSUDH Assistant Professor of Anthropology Ken Seligson.

Since 2010, Seligson has worked on archaeological excavations and mapping in the northern Maya lowlands of Yucatán, Mexico. He wanted to research and write a book shifting the focus away from the oft-cited “collapse” of the Classic Maya civilization, and instead toward their centuries of socioecological resilience and adaptation.

“I understand why people are fascinated by collapse, but it’s a disservice and misleading to just focus on the end of the Classic Period,” Seligson says. “The main point of the book was to reach a broader audience and promote the 700 years of human-environment relationships that allowed the Maya to flourish.”

The Classic Maya period, from 200-950 AD, was a period marked by sustained population growth. The Maya’s innovative use and management of natural resources–particularly of water–helped to support burgeoning, sophisticated cities with thousands of inhabitants.

“They had elaborate, complex mechanisms for maintaining water systems,” Seligson says. “They funneled rain into reservoirs, mimicked natural biosystems with plants, and used sand and other minerals to filter the water.”

However, from the late 700s to early 800s AD, climate destabilization began to occur, with increased drying periods and geographical pockets of megadroughts. Though the Maya used mitigating measures to try to preserve more rainfall, many resorted to migration in pursuit of water. Seligson says that Maya in the south moved north, intermingling with northern Maya communities and adapting to different local traditions.

“We tend to think of migration as a modern thing, but people were moving around all the time–and may have been dealing with similar issues we see today with cultural differences,” he notes.

In addition to a changing climate and mass migration, other destabilizers including warfare, political jockeying, and civil unrest marked 750-950 AD, known as the Terminal Classic Period. Seligson resists the use of the word “collapse” as it connotes suddenness, instead referring to this period as one of breakdown and transformation.

“People ask me what happened to the Maya, as if they disappeared–they didn’t,” Seligson says. “There are still more than 7 million Maya people thriving today, it’s just a different sociopolitical system. Like with every civilization around the world, everything is cyclical and nothing lasts forever.”

Seligson acknowledges that parallels can be drawn between the effects of climate change and social upheaval today with those faced by the Maya. However, he points out that Maya people living 1200 years ago may not have considered themselves to be living in a historical time of decline.

“Someone living in 767 or 812 AD could look out their window and see everyday things, like people going to the market,” he says. “They wouldn’t see the broader trends that we can see in hindsight.”

He added that one of the main lessons he hopes we can learn is the importance of “being willing to adapt, and recognizing that life is not going to be the same forever.”

“We have to find ways to make the new reality work.” 

Watch Seligson’s overview of his new book in a talk given to the Archaeological Institute of America.

Class of 2021 Scholars Reflect on the Toro Experience

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Class of 2021: Isabel Munoz, a Psychology major and McNair Scholar.
Class of 2021: Isabel Munoz, a Psychology major and McNair Scholar.

Graduates from the Presidential Scholars Program, the McNair Scholarship Program, and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship share their Toro experiences, inspirational faculty mentors, future plans, and more.

Raquel Serrano, Women’s Studies: Mellon Mays Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Associate Professor of Women’s Studies Jenn Brandt. See below.

Scholarship Takeaways: Through the Mellon Mays program Raquel has traveled, networked, and advanced her skills as a scholar. She calls the experience “one of the best things to happen in my life.”

Campus Life: Raquel enjoyed many opportunities at CSUDH that helped “sky-rocket” her success.

Next Move: Raquel has been accepted into and is fully funded for the Women’s and Gender Studies master’s program at the University of South Florida.

Who has been your most inspiring CSUDH faculty mentor(s) and why?

Dr. Jenn Brandt has been my absolute favorite professor, mentor, and guiding light throughout my undergraduate journey. She has trained me to reach far beyond my academic potential and did not let me give up even though I wanted to many times. Dr. Brandt is someone who will always be in my life and I really appreciate her going above and beyond.

Brent LegaspiBrent Legaspi, Clinical Science, Medical Technology Option: Presidential Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Assistant Professor of Chemistry Patrick Still.

Scholarship Takeaways: See below.

Campus Life: Participating in community service activities was one of the most rewarding aspects of Brent’s CSUDH education, during which he experienced firsthand the family atmosphere on campus, and the belonging that comes with being a Toro.

The DH Effect: One of the most important skills Brent learned at CSUDH was adaptability, which has helped him to communicate more effectively, and enables him to tackle problems better in a laboratory setting.

Next Move: Brent will begin an internship in the Clinical Training Program for Clinical Laboratory Scientists at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Health Medical Center.

In what ways did the Presidential Scholars Program help prepare you for the future?

It taught me to take pride in my achievements while also maintaining humility and gratitude. As a result of my participation in the program, I gained the confidence and motivation to face the challenges of becoming a clinical laboratory scientist.

Denise AguiluzDenise Aguiluz, Psychology: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Professors of Psychology Silvia Santos and Maria Hurtado-Ortiz, and Assistant Professor of Psychology Kevin Montes.

Scholarship Takaways: The McNair program enabled Denise to become an “excellent researcher and student,” and provided her assistance with graduate school applications and documentation.

Campus Life: Denise enjoyed being a research assistant for two labs, learned a lot from her mentors and fellow lab members, and liked learning and enhancing her research skills.

The DH Effect: see below.

Next Move: Denise will pursue a master’s in Clinical Psychology at CSUDH.

What is the most useful skill that you acquired during your time at CSUDH?

Attention to detail. This skill will help me as a graduate student and in my profession because it’s essential to be precise when conducting research and being a counseling psychologist.

Natalya CardonaNatalya Cardona, Cell and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry minor: Presidential Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Adjunct Biology Professor Begona De Velasco.

Scholarship Takaways: See below.

Campus Life: Natalya enjoyed being a mentor and STEM tutor, which enabled her to help K-12 and undergraduate students succeed academically.

The DH Effect: Skill as a researcher is what Natalya has acquired as Toro that will guide her best throughout her career.

Next Move: This fall, Natalya will begin a Ph.D. program in Translational Genomics at The Lundquist Institute, and will continue working as a mentor and STEM tutor for undergraduate students.

In what ways did the Presidential Scholars program help prepare you for the future?

As a non-traditional, first-generation Latina pursuing higher education in a STEM field, one of my fears was being unable to complete my degree due to the lack of financial support because I am a self-supported student. It is because of the support from the Presidential Scholars Program that I have a future now.

Miriam WeinbergMiriam Weinberg, Clinical Science: Medical Technology: Presidential Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Assistant Professor of Chemistry Erin McCauley, and full-time Lecturer of Chemistry Barbara Belmont. See below.

Scholarship Takeaways: Miriam gained the confidence to be a leader, enhanced academic abilities, and the vigor to exceed expectations. She will use these skills to curb self-imposed limits and maximize her capabilities.

Campus Life: The closeness and the overall friendly atmosphere on campus, and the lasting relationships with faculty and classmates are what Miriam has cherished the most about her time at CSUDH.

The DH Effect: Adaptability is one of the most valuable skills Miriam gained at CSUDH, which she will use abundantly to enhance her career and life experiences.

Next Move: Miriam will be interning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as part of the CSUDH Clinical Laboratory Science post-baccalaureate certificate program, which will make her eligible to become a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Who has been your most inspiring CSUDH faculty mentor(s) and why?

Something that I love about CSUDH is how much the faculty members care about their students, and how much time they’re willing to put in to ensure that their students are successful. I had several professors that I have so much respect for, but Barbara Belmont and Dr. Erin McCauley were two who I found to be very inspiring for their readiness to continually help students in matters that go beyond their respective classes.

Tania LugoTania Lugo, Psychology: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Associate Professor of Psychology Philip Vieira.

Scholarship Takeaways: For Tania, it was the financial support the McNair Scholars program offered that made her DH experience exceptional and helped her grow as a researcher and scholar.

Campus Life: see below.

The DH Effect: Tania learned how to perform several immunohistochemistry techniques, a valuable skill in neuroscience that enables scientists to measure protein expression in the brain.

Next Move: Tania will be enrolled in a Ph.D. in Psychology program at UCLA with an emphasis in Behavioral Neuroscience.

What did you enjoy the most about your CSUDH experience?

I enjoyed making friends at Dominguez Hills, and it was quite easy to make friends here. I was able to relate to many students who were also first-generation minority students. The sense of community at Dominguez Hills made it easier for me to navigate academia as I was able to ask for help from my peers. I will always remember the times I spent studying with my friends at the library.

Elijah ArzateElijah Arzate, Psychology: Presidential Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Heather Butler, associate professor and chair of the Department of Psychology.

Scholarship Takeaways: Through rich experiences, mentors, and the emotional support of Gayle Ball-Parker, Elijah learned perseverance and gained the tenacity to work through mental, physical, developmental, and learning disabilities, and to not view them as barriers to achievement.

Campus Life: See below.

The DH Effect: Among his many accomplishments, Elijah spent a summer attending a fieldwork and research program at Columbia University in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and the Summer Public Health Scholars Program. He was also accepted into the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Next Move: Elijah launched his Masters in Library and Information Science at San Jose State this spring.

What did you enjoy the most about your CSUDH experience?

I chose to go to Dominguez Hills over other institutions due to its small size. Socially, I appreciated the familiarity I was able to build with the people I saw most often, such as those who also frequented the Queer Cultural and Resource Center. Academically, I enjoyed being able to get to know my class professors, as opposed to larger institutions where there is a level of anonymity. As simple as it sounds, I also looked forward to the little things, like being able to see and hear the professor even if the seats in the front of the classroom were taken.

Joseline GonzálezJoseline González, English Literature/Chicana and Chicano Studies Minor: Mellon Mays scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Associate Professor of English Roderick Hernandez and Assistant Professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies Alfredo González.

Scholarship Takeaways: See below.

Campus Life: For Joseline, working and being with students, faculty, and staff was the most enjoyable part of her CSUDH experience. She was also deeply impacted while collaborating with the Toros Guardian Scholars program.

Next Move: Joseline will be entering the English Literature Ph.D. program at Texas A&M.

In what ways did the Mellon Mays program help prepare you for the future?

The program has become my main motivator for attending graduate school. The Mellon Mays faculty and resources have improved both my research and understanding of academia, and the summer programs and conferences I attended were instrumental to my undergraduate experience and successes.

Isabel MunozIsabel Munoz, Psychology/Spanish minor: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Psychology Lecturer Aimee Miller and Professor of Psychology Maria Hurtado-Ortiz.

Scholarship Takeaways: Isabel had always wanted to go to graduate school but didn’t have a clear vision of how to get there. Through the McNair Scholars Program, she received the resources to help her prepare and prosper in higher education and develop as a scholar and researcher.

Campus Life: Faculty and staff engagement, and student support are among the most valuable experiences Isabel gained during her time as a CSUDH student, which made a significant impact on her academic and personal life.

The DH Effect: See below

Next Move: The next step in Isabel’s academic journey will take place at CSU Northridge, where she will earn a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and continue to conduct research with an emphasis in neuropsychology.

What is the most useful skill that you acquired during your time at CSUDH?

Dominguez Hills helped me develop confidence as a student and leader. This skill will help me persevere in my future academic and personal goals. I became a confident student who is not afraid to communicate and ask questions. I will use this skill to guide and remind myself that my goals are possible.

Karlee RiveraKarlee Rivera, Earth Science: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Assistant Professor of Earth Science and Geography Parveen Chhetri.

Scholarship Takeaways: One of the many benefits Karlee received through the McNair Scholars Program was comprehensive assistance through the graduate school application process.

Campus Life: See below.

The DH Effect: Karlee says that learning to conduct diligent research is the most important skill that developed at CSUDH.

Next Move: This fall, Karlee will attend UC Riverside in the Ph.D. Geological Sciences Program.

What did you enjoy the most about your CSUDH experience?

One of the most enjoyable things at CSUDH was the small community that provided me with constant support. It allowed me to make important relationships with my mentors and classmates, which made me feel supported and helped me succeed.

Daisha CampbellDaisha Campbell, Political Science: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Assistant Professor of  Political Science Yea Ji Kim. See below.

Scholarship Takeaways: Daisha appreciated the good advice she received from Michelle Martinez, director of the McNair Scholars Program, and the check-ins she received to make sure her academic plans and applications were moving forward.

Campus Life: Daisha enjoyed working as a peer mentor for the Encounter to Excellence program, which helped shape her character and prepare her professionally.

The DH Effect: Confidence was among the most important skills Daisha learned at CSUDH, which she says helps “mold my character.”

Next Move: Daisha has been accepted into the Ph.D. program for Political Science at UC Davis.

Who has been your most inspiring CSUDH faculty mentor(s) and why?

Dr. Yea Ji Kim has been the most wonderful mentor. While taking POL 340: Political Change First and in Third World Countries, I became more engaged in politics. Dr. Kim challenged me to be better and get the best opportunities. I was able to participate in the USC Summer Institute for Political Science because of her recommendation. She also encouraged me to pursue a Ph.D. I am grateful for her support.

Gabriel AnguloGabriel Angulo, Earth Science: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Assistant Professor of Earth Science and Geography Parveen Chhetri.

Scholarship Takeaways: The McNair Scholars Program helped Gabriel with developing documents that he will need for future endeavors, and provided him the funding for conferences in his field and the experience to excel at them.

Campus Life: see below.

The DH Effect: At CSUDH, Gabriel gained the ability to find resources and the confidence in his abilities to tackle the obstacles ahead.

Next Move: Gabriel is considering applying for the Masters in Environmental Science program at CSUDH.

What did you enjoy the most about your CSUDH experience?

I made friends and had a home away from home in the Earth Science and Geography lab. I did all my assignments there and ate most of my meals during the week in that room. It was nice to be surrounded by people who were passionate about similar things.

Julissa MaganaJulissa Magana, Criminal Justice Administration and Psychology/Women’s Studies minor: Presidential Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Chris Waters, adjunct professor of Public Administration, and a faculty adviser for the Southern California Collegiate Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

Campus Life: See below.

The DH Effect: At CSUDH, Julissa learned to step out of her comfort zone. Many of the risks she took resulted in leadership opportunities, professional development experiences, and amazing friendships.

Next Move: Julissa will take a gap year from her studies, during which she will be researching institutions to enroll in a Ph.D. program for Forensic Psychology. She will also work to save money for graduate school.

What did you enjoy the most about your CSUDH experience?

Dominguez Hills is such a vibrant community, and everyone is always so friendly. …I really enjoyed getting to meet amazing people from my fellow Presidential Scholars and the people involved in the student organizations, to classmates, faculty, and those who you just happen to share a table with at lunch. It was easy for me to build my community on campus and feel like I truly belonged.

Michelle MohrMichelle Mohr, Earth Science/Geography minor, with a certificate in Geospatial Techniques: McNair Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Assistant Professor of Earth Science and Geography Parveen Chhetri. See below.

Scholarship Takeaways: The McNair program helped Michelle to prepare for the future in many ways. From hosting workshops and providing winter retreat “check ins,” to offering financial support to complete and present research.

Campus Life: Michelle enjoyed the close community she formed with others in her department, and attending campus events with fellow students while creating life long memories.

The DH Effect: Research and presentation skills are among the skills that Michelle honed while at CSUDH. She plans to use these skills to continue working in climate change research and to present her findings to the public on as many platforms as possible.

Next Move: Michelle has been accepted into CSUDH’s Masters of Environmental Science Program. Her long-term goals are to obtain a Ph.D. and continue research in paleoclimate studies using dendrochronology.

Who has been your most inspiring CSUDH faculty mentor(s) and why?

Dr. Parveen Chhetri. Since my first day on campus Dr. Chhetri has encouraged me to participate in research, present my work at as many academic conferences/platforms as possible, as well as apply for all the grants, scholarships and internship opportunities I could get. Without him, I know my time at Dominguez Hills would have been drastically different.

Bailey CampbellBailey Campbell, Criminal Justice Administration: Presidential Scholar

Inspirational Mentor(s): Cailin K. White, University Outreach and School Relations.

Scholarship Takeaways: Through the Presidential Scholarship Program Bailey had the opportunity to interact with many intellectuals and inspiring indivduals, and she developed connections that will last a lifetime.

Campus Life: Bailey enjoyed making connections with other students at CSUDH. By working in multiple departments on campus, she formed many relationships and friendships with peers that were academically supportive. She says they would “never let each other fail,” particularly after those “sleepless nights together.”

The DH Effect: See below. 

Next Move: Bailey plans to continue working as a restaurant server while searching for a professional career.

What is the most useful skill that you acquired during your time at CSUDH?

By being a tour guide and speaker at many DH events, I have become confident in my public speaking skills. I also learned how to be an efficient communicator through teaching prospective students about our amazing campus. My public speaking skills will help guide me in my future career because I plan to work in the law enforcement field. In this field, I must be able to speak up in front of others and be an effective leader. 

Anthropology Student Rubi Landa Awarded National Science Foundation Fellowship

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Yesenia “Rubi” Landa has been accepted into the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Yesenia “Rubi” Landa has been accepted into the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

While the pandemic may have put a damper on anthropology student Yesenia “Rubi” Landa’s plans to travel abroad to research the water management strategies of the Maya, her thirst for knowledge still resulted in sound data-driven conclusions.

As an undergraduate researcher at CSUDH, Landa has examined climate change data gathered in Cerro Hul, a small Maya site in the Puuc region of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. She worked under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Anthropology Kenneth Seligson.

“My research was conducted to estimate the total water storage capacity of underground cisterns –  known as Chultuns – at Cerro Hul, and whether they would have been enough to support the population during the dry season and drought periods,” says Landa, who will graduate from CSUDH this spring.

Landa’s notable findings suggest that water stored in the underground cisterns would have been sufficient to support the local community. They also helped earn her the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one of the most sought-after fellowships in the nation for students eager to conduct graduate-level research.

This year, two CSUDH alumni were also awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship: Alexis Diaz, a Biology major who graduated in 2020 and is currently at CSU Long Beach; and Bobbie Benavidez, and Anthropology major who earned her bachelor’s at CSUDH in 2018 and is currently at Northwestern University.

“When I found out about the fellowship I was overwhelmed with happiness and instantly started crying, as I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, but also as if many more opportunities were now opened for me,” says Landa.

Rubi Landa learns how to conduct fieldwork in CSUDH's ANT 313 archeological field methods and techniques course.
Rubi Landa learns how to conduct fieldwork in CSUDH’s ANT 313 archeological field methods and techniques course.

The NSF program awards about 2,000 fellowships each year. It supports outstanding students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who are pursuing advanced degrees, providing an annual research stipend for three years, as well as funds for graduate school tuition and fees. It also opens doors to research and professional development opportunities that are invaluable to an up-and-coming scientist.

Adaptive Research

Landa was scheduled to conduct field research in Cerro Hul in the summer of 2020. On-site, she would have utilized data gathered by Seligson, who used Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a remote sensing method to generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth in the region and its surface characteristics.

“[After analyzing Seligson’s data] I would have conducted soil core analysis in watershed areas that may have been used by Maya for seasonal pools, and a pedestrian foot survey to see if there were any features that the LiDAR missed, and to see the features I did map were actually what I thought they were,” she explains.

When the trip was cancelled, Landa adapted by carrying out her research using spatial analysis on Quantum GIS (QGIS), a free open-source Geographic Information System.

With the QGIS, her findings that underground cisterns would have been sufficient to support the local community included the assertion that the Maya population was much larger.

“My water usage calculations also did not take into account agricultural or other use, so I believe that there could have been other water storage strategies being used, such as seasonal pools instead of just the chultuns,” she says.

Rubi Landa is in CSUDH’s McNair Scholars Program, which encourages and prepares students who are traditionally underrepresented in college to pursue graduate studies – specifically, a Ph.D. Her faculty mentor in the program is Assistant Professor of Anthropology Sarah Lacy.

This fall, with the financial support of the NSF fellowship, Landa will pursue original graduate research projects in the geography Master of Arts to Ph.D. track program at University of Texas at Austin.

Her goal is to conduct interdisciplinary research while working closely with geographers, cultural anthropologists, and archaeologists. She says that the fellowship was the deciding factor in where she would pursue her doctorate.

“In future research, I hope to come to an understanding as to how water storage strategies within smaller Puuc communities changed over time. I also hope to discover if there are uniform or different water management strategy patterns in smaller Puuc community sites, instead of larger sites that have already been studied,” she says.

“It’s important to be aware of how people adapted to the changing climate in the past, especially because we are seeing effects of climate change every day,” she adds.

Landa’s professional goals are to be a professor at a university where she can continue to do summer research in the field, while involving students in her projects. Her hope is that even more underrepresented individuals will seek positions in academia.

“I know how hard it is to navigate through college and find opportunities that you had no idea existed because I did not have older siblings or parents who went to college to teach me this,” she says. “My mentors have been like my academic parents and have been so helpful when it comes to understanding how academia works and how to navigate through it.”